3. Thematically Necessary?
While Gwen's death is integral to the Spider-Man mythology, I don't think it should be shoved in to the upcoming film just so the filmmakers can check off that particular box. Her death needs to compliment the themes of the film, the series, and Peter's character arc. While his decision to still pursue a relationship with Gwen at the end of the first film appeared to foreshadow Peter's partial responsibility for her death in the future, having Gwen die in this film would result in Peter's character development becoming rushed. Her death is so dramatic that, for it to occur this early in the series, there wouldn't be anything more earth shattering in which to lead up. I feel Gwen's death has to be the climax of this series, the event that leads Peter to truly mature in to a man.